Citation

Prendiville C, Nasser QJ, McGettrick P. Ir. Med. J. 2008; 101(4): 116-118.

Affiliation

Sligo General Hospital, The Mall, Sligo. camprendiville@yahoo.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Winstone Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18557514

Abstract

We analysed the attendance after 5pm at the Ophthalmic Accident and Emergency department of Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin over a period of 34 days. 345 patients attended, 203 (73%) were considered non urgent by the duty ophthalmologist. 12 (3.4%) required immediate admission. 245 (71%) self referred without an accompanying letter. There is a disproportionate amount of non emergency presentations to the RVEEH ophthalmic emergency department that leads to long waiting times and inefficient use of resources. By implementing a multifaceted educational and publicity programme and by improving access to daytime ophthalmic services we will eliminate the need for patients to attend our A&E with non-acute complaints after 5 pm. A new Accident and Emergency department policy is required to prevent inappropriate use of the service after 5 pm.

Language: en